Apple's PowerMac line will see an upgrade in the near future, possibly before the close of the month. IBM's July announcement noted that the PowerPC 970MP would be available in speeds of 1.4GHz to 2.5GHz. Apple is expected to adopt the 970MP at least at the high-end of the new Power Mac G5 line. So, what are your thoughts on the 970MP? Does it nullify Apple's reasoning behind the switch to Intel? Also note the low-power G5 IBM has released alongside the 970MP.

So, what are your thoughts on the 970MP? Does it nullify Apple's reasoning behind the switch to Intel?

The G4 is due to be replaced next year by the much improved 8641 and the 970 is finally seeing big compiler improvements. Apple was growing sales at 40%, there was no immediate reason to switch.

I don't think we know the real reasons for the switch, I tend to agree with Robert Cringely and others assertion that it's some form of partnership. Both companies want into the living room, Apple can do this better than any other PC or OS vendor so Intel persuaded them to join them.

Intel could have something up their sleeves (as I have already speculated) but we don't know anything more than a year or 2 away. Then again so could everyone else...